PANNA: Seed Industry Giants: Who Owns Whom?

A shrinking number of colossal companies -- nicknamed the "Gene Giants" -- dominate global sales of seeds and agrochemicals, according to a new report released by the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI).

The top five Gene Giants (AstaZeneca, DuPont, Monsanto, Novartis, Aventis) account for nearly two-thirds of the global pesticide market (60%), almost one-quarter (23%) of the commercial seed market, and virtually 100% of the transgenic (genetically engineered) seed market. "The Gene Giants' portfolio extends far beyond plant breeding," explains Pat Mooney, Executive Director of RAFI. "From plants, to animals, to human genetic material, they are fast becoming monopoly monarchs over all the life kingdoms."

Five years ago, none of top five Gene Giants appeared on the list of leading seed corporations. In fact, three of the top five companies didn't even exist. Zeneca and Astra merged to form AstraZeneca; Rhone Poulenc and Hoechst became Aventis; Ciba Geigy and Sandoz became Novartis; and DuPont swallowed Pioneer Hi-Bred earlier this year.

Seed Industry Top 10

Company

1998 Seed Sales (US) Millions

DuPont (USA)

$1,835+

Monsanto (USA)

$1,800 (estimate)

Novartis(Switzerland)

$1,000

Groupe Limagrain (France)

$733

Savia S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)

$428

AstraZeneca (UK and Neth.)

$412

KWS AG (Germany)

$370

AgriBiotech, Inc. (USA)

$370

Sakata (Japan)

$349*

Takii (Japan)

$300* (estimate)

Top 10 Agrochemical Companies

Company

1998 Pesticide Sales (U.S.) Millions

Aventis (Germany)

$4,676

Novartis (Switzerland)

$4,152

Monsanto (USA)

$4,032

DuPont (USA)

$3,156

AstraZeneca (UK and Neth.)

$2,897

Bayer (Germany)

$2,273

American Home Products

$2,194

Dow (USA)

$2,132

BASF (Germany)

$1,945

Makhteshim-Agan (Israel)

$801

*Note: 1998 sales figures were not available for some seed companies

Consolidation: Vital Statistics

¥ The top 10 seed companies control approximately 33% of the US$23 billion seed trade worldwide.

¥ The top three seed companies (DuPont, Monsanto, Novartis) account for 20% of the global seed trade.

¥ The top 10 agrochemical companies control 91% of the $31 billion agrochemical market.

¥ The top five Gene Giants (AstraZeneca, DuPont, Monsanto, Novartis and Aventis) account for nearly two-thirds of the global pesticide market (60%), almost one-quarter (23%) of the global seed market, and virtually 100% of the transgenic seed market.

RAFI, the Rural Advancement Foundation International, is an international civil society organization headquartered in Canada. RAFI is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and to the socially responsible development of technologies useful to rural societies. RAFI is concerned about the loss of agricultural biodiversity, and the impact of intellectual property on farmers and food security.